International Student Mentor Program

MISSION:

The mission of the CAS International Student Mentor Program is to support new international students starting out at NYU and in NYC. In this dynamic CAS-sponsored program, mentors and mentees spend time together in one-on-one meetings, group gatherings, and social activities around the city. Involvement in the program offers a fun way for participants to develop leadership skills and foster community among international students in CAS.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

We ask that all participants commit to meeting at least two times a month: once at our monthly group meetings and once on their own. The group meetings include food, socializing, and pertinent topics of discussion, such as cultural transition, NYC discovery, campus involvement, leadership, etc. In addition to the group meetings, mentors and mentees are also expected to meet at least once a month on their own. Students choose to meet either on or off campus to grab a coffee, share a meal, or even visit a museum.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM

 

   Applications for the 2022-23 program are currently closed.

 

Why should I join the CAS International Student Mentor Program?

Moving to a new city (let alone a new country) can be an exhilarating experience, but it can also be a little overwhelming. The CAS International Student Mentor Program is meant to create a sense of community and to help incoming first-year, transfer, and exchange students as they adjust to life at NYU and NYC. Because all of the mentors in the program are international students themselves, they provide a great resource for incoming students, by sharing their own personal experiences and helping to answer questions (about cultural adjustment, major interests, campus resources, or how to get involved on campus). Participation allows students to further engage in life on campus and to forge lasting friendships.

 

How do I apply to join the Mentor Program?

We recruit new mentors during the spring and new mentees during the summer to join the program, which runs in the Fall semester. Please see the next section “Be a Mentor” and “Be a Mentee” to review the application period and contact.

 

I am interested in participating in the program, but I have class during the monthly group meetings. Can I still participate in the program? How much time do I need to commit to the program and my mentor/mentee?

Attendance at our monthly group meetings is essential to involvement in the program. If your schedule does not allow you to participate in our monthly group meetings, we encourage you to join us for our other international student events and/or consider joining the Mentor Program during a future semester.

 

How are incoming mentees paired with mentors?

As a part of the application process, we ask all mentors and mentees what qualities would be important to them in a mentor/mentee pairing. We then do our best to pair prospective mentors and mentees together using this information.

 

QUESTIONS FOR MENTORS

As a mentor, how many mentees should I expect to be assigned?

Each mentor may have between one to four mentees. The exact number depends on how many mentor and mentee applications we receive each semester.

 

Do mentors have a budget that they can use with their mentees?

Mentors are not provided with a budget to do outside activities with their mentees. However, we encourage mentors to be creative; there are many places in the city that students can access for free, including many museums (see here for more info). Many students also choose to meet for coffee, at the park, at one of the dining halls, or even to participate in various club activities or other free events on campus.

 

WHILE IN THE PROGRAM

What do I do if my mentor or mentee is unresponsive or decides to no longer participate in the program?

We understand that there are often unforeseen circumstances that may cause students to withdraw from the program. If this happens, please email us at cas.international@nyu.edu.

 

What if I am unable to attend an event or meeting?

If you have already RSVP’d for one of our monthly meetings or events, but are unable to attend, please email us ASAP at cas.international@nyu.edu and let us know.

 

After participating in the mentor program, what is next? What other leadership opportunities are available on campus?

We hope that you will participate in the mentor program again next year! You might also consider applying to be/participating in the following:

CAS College Leader

Second-Year Leadership Institute

CAS Student Council

NYU International Student Council

A member of the CAS International Student Club (CAS ISC) E-Board

A club President - of one of the many clubs on campus

BE A MENTOR

What are the responsibilities of a mentor?

As a Mentor, your role is to:

  • Assist your incoming first-year, transfer, or exchange student mentees as they adjust to life at NYU and in NYC (e.g. offering advice on cultural adjustment, academics, campus resources, and the wider city). 
  • Attend all monthly big-group meetings as well as the mandatory mentor training session. 
  • Facilitate and coordinate meetings with your mentees at least once a month.
  • Maintain regular contact with your mentees, either via phone, email, or social media.
  • Check in with a designated program coordinator throughout the semester.

BE A MENTEE

Are you interested in becoming a mentee?
Please email cas.international@nyu.edu to learn more.

As a mentee, you are responsible for:

  • Committing to meeting with your mentor at least once a month.
  • Attending all monthly big-group meetings.
  • Maintaining regular contact with your mentor.

TESTIMONIALS

“Having someone who would guide me throughout my freshman year was one of the most important resources I had. Through the international student mentor program, I was able to constantly communicate with an international upperclassman, ask for advice, get any questions answered, and most importantly, learn how to properly utilize resources available to students at NYU and in NYC. Having an international student as a mentor helped me a lot - I avoided lots of mistakes that any international student at a completely new place or setting could have made. The monthly meetings were a great way to meet other international students. The events held as a part of the program were a great way to learn about not only New York’s (or America’s, in general) culture, but also about the cultures of various different countries. The program, as a whole, helped me a lot while I was adjusting to a new place. Brendan, Anne, and everybody else involved with the program went out of their way and worked hard to ensure that every international student would think of NYU as a home away from home.”

     -    Mihir Chakravarti, Class of 2020, from India 

 

“Being a mentor for other international students in CAS allows me to share experience navigating NYU and what I've learned for the past three years, to provide a sense of community and solidarity, and to serve as a resource and guide for students who feel alone in the face of their specific questions.”

     -    Juliette Maigné, Class of 2018, from France

 

“The CAS International Student Mentor Program is a place for international students to connect, to share their aspects and to exchange their past experience about the school life and the wider city. As a mentor in the program, I got incredible opportunities to help out new international students who shared similar concerns and problems with me when I was a freshman. And I also got to connect with other mentors, bonding and learning from each other as international students. The program is meaningful, and fun.”

     -    Yihan Lou, Class of 2019, from China